Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has launched a new report titled “Cross‑Border Digital Payments and Identity in Nigeria under the AfCFTA”, aiming to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access the $3.5 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market. The report was unveiled at a high‑level event hosted by the Office of the Vice President in Abuja on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Okay News reports that Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the research as timely and strategic, highlighting Nigeria’s growing role in shaping digital trade across the African continent. The report builds on earlier milestones such as Nigeria’s Digital Trade Strategy and a recent capacity‑building programme for subnational leaders. Senator Hadejia emphasized that enabling MSMEs to conduct seamless cross‑border transactions will be central to unlocking trade, growth, and job creation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The report recommends strengthening cross‑border digital‑payment systems and trusted digital‑identity frameworks to support small businesses. It identifies the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as a key platform, while also highlighting the role of Nigerian fintech firms such as PalmPay and Moniepoint in driving adoption and expanding access. The government said it is committed to improving infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and public–private partnerships to ensure Nigeria remains at the forefront of AfCFTA implementation.
Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle‑Johnson, said the report will strengthen the MSME ecosystem by shifting cross‑border payments from informal, inefficient channels toward more formal, digital platforms. He noted that Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) systems are helping to build trust and streamline identity verification for digital trade. The report’s findings, he said, are expected to make it easier for Nigerian SMEs to enter and scale within the AfCFTA market.
Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Salihu Dasuki, disclosed that the Office of the Vice President, in partnership with development partners, has developed a framework to fast‑track seamless cross‑border payments for MSMEs. A key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, he added, is enabling Nigerians to participate in digital trade across the continent. Special Assistant to the President on Project Support, Shuda Ahmed, praised ODI Global for leading the research and stressed that without affordable, reliable cross‑border payment systems MSMEs will struggle to grow beyond their domestic markets.
The launch event brought together officials from ODI Global, the AfCFTA secretariat, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and representatives from the MSME sector. The government’s push aligns with broader efforts to use digital infrastructure and policy to connect Nigerian small businesses to the $3.5 trillion AfCFTA opportunity and drive inclusive, intra‑African trade.
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